Congress hails president's address to Parliament

Congress today hailed president Pratibha Patil's address to both Houses of Parliament, saying it laid the vision, direction and
performance of the government.

"The president's address reflects the vision, direction and performance of the government. It also illuminates the roadmap for the next decade," party spokesman Manish Tewari said outside Parliament House today.

On the Opposition criticising the government for not having clear policies to fight naxals and bring down prices, Tewari said the opposition is "bereft of ideas".

He said naxal violence was dealt with in the address of the president and it was wrong to say that the government is not committed to fight them.

Tewari said the home minister has written letters to the chief ministers of the naxal-affected states and a meeting with them will take place shortly.

Asked about Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman opposing an offensive against the naxals, the spokesman said that the ally concerned has made it clear that they do not support or condone violence.

Instead, "it is the Left which has institutionalised the cult of political violence in the state in the last three decades," Tewari alleged.

On a query whether a separate ministry was required for controlling inflation, the Congress leader said it would not serve much purpose as there are several ministries to tackle the situation.